The Thames Hub network, an integrated infrastructure development, is expected to spend more than $80 billion next year.

The increase reflects not only pent-up demand and backlogs, but also the rise of shale gas and “a clear recognition that re-starting global growth depends on significant new investment,” according to CG/LA. Thus, the list features numerous top-dollar mega-projects set to begin in the next three to 12 months.

Sector Spending

Leading the list, by far, is $247 billion in “strategic” spending by governments and economic development agencies. The other top nine sectors, by spending levels:

• Surface Transportation ($146 billion);

• Urban Mass Transit ($89.8 billion);

• Digital ($58 billion);

• High Speed Rail ($45.9 billion);

• Ports & Logistics ($43.9 billion);

• Mining ($39 billion);

• Oil and Gas ($28 billion);

• Airports ($28 billion); and

• Water & Wastewater ($22 billion).

Top Projects

The top project expenditures on the list are:

• Thames Hub, UK (Strategic): $80.4 billion

• Plan Nord, Quebec (Strategic): $80 billion

• Qatar World Cup 2022 (Strategic): $59.1 billion

• Qatar National Rail Plan: $25 billion

• Abu Dhabi Roads Project, UAE: $25 billion

• Manila LRT Line 1 Expansion, Philippines: $18.5 billion

• National Highways Development Program, India: $17.1 billion

• Airports Modernization Project, Russia: $15 billion

• 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics (Strategic): $14 billion

• United Arab Emirates Railway Project: $11 billion

Middle East, Asia on the Rise

Geographically, the Middle East and Asia will be the dominant players in 2012, according to CG/LA.

Led by the Gulf States, Middle Eastern and North African countries are creating the world’s fastest-growing infrastructure market, with $205 billion in projects on the list.

The Lusail Iconic Stadium is one of about a dozen stadiums that will be built to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.